Redskins Overhaul With Youth And Speed

Rebuilding Starts At Minicamp Today

ASHBURN — Washington coach Norv Turner will blow the whistle today for the first time in 1995 and see what four months of wheeling and dealing has wrought.

Approximately 75 players will report today for the beginning of a three-day minicamp and, for the second consecutive year, Turner will be meeting and greeting as he goes.

Turner made 34 roster changes before the 1994 season, his first with the Redskins. To date, 22 players from the team that went 3-13 won't be around in 1995.

This year's team will be younger and faster, but it will take another four or five months before Turner can sort through the rubble of a once-proud franchise and tell if it's better.

``The one thing that jumps out at you as you look at the new players is that we've been able to upgrade our speed,'' Turner said.

Most of the speed was acquired last weekend in the college draft and during the free-agent signing period earlier this week.

Free-agent receiver Reggie Jones, who ran track but did not play football at Louisiana State, was clocked at 4.28 in the 40-yard dash. Cornerback Scott Turner, a seventh-round draft pick, ran track at Illinois and was clocked at 4.35 recently.

Cornerback Darryl Pounds, the Redskins' third-round draft pick, turned in a 4.37 time and receiver Michael Westbrook, the team's top pick, ran a 4.42.

Even the bigger newcomers turned in eye-popping 40 times. Tight end Jamie Asher, at 6-foot-4, 245 pounds, was timed at 4.91 and 6-6, 255-pound defensive end Rich Owens came in at 4.66. Offensive linemen Cory Raymer, the second-round draft pick, and Brian Thure - both around 300 pounds - were clocked at 5.2.

Turner also lowered the team's average age not only with the influx of college players but by waiving, trading or not offering contracts to nine players at least 30 years old.

The list of aging veterans who have played their last game in Washington include offensive lineman Raleigh McKenzie, punter Reggie Roby, linebackers Tyronne Stowe, Kurt Gouveia and Monte Coleman, tight end Ethan Horton, defensive end Leonard Marshall and defensive backs Martin Bayless and Johnny Thomas.

Turner said there's no reason to stick with older players after posting the second-worst record in the NFL in 1994.

``Based on where we are, we're moving more toward younger players,'' Turner said.

Only 12 players remain from former coach Joe Gibbs' last playoff team in 1992, and at least three of them - running back Ricky Ervins and cornerbacks A.J. Johnson and Alvoid Mays - won't be invited back to training camp.

The Redskins hope to be better on offense because of the addition of Westbrook, free-agent fullback Marc Logan and the continued development of quarterback Heath Shuler and guard Tre Johnson, their top two draft picks in 1994.

``In the free-agent market, we emphasized younger players in the prime of their careers,'' said general manager Charley Casserly. ``I think that's important because the group we brought in this year is a group that will be with us. They are not a quick-fix group of players.''

It's a lot to sort through, a process that begins today.

MINICAMP SCHEDULE

* WHAT: Three-day minicamp.

* WHEN: Today through Sunday.

* WHERE: Redskin Park, Ashburn.

* WHO: Approximately 75 players, rookies and veterans.

* SCHEDULE:

Today - Begins with 9 a.m. team meeting and ends with 3 p.m. open practice;

Saturday -Begins with 8:30 a.m. team meeting and ends with 3 p.m. open practice;

Sunday - Begins with 8:30 a.m. special teams meeting and ends with 1:30 p.m. open practice.